COMBINED USE OF SERUM ENZYME LEVELS AS TUMOR-MARKERS IN CERVICAL-CARCINOMA PATIENTS

Enzymology has acquired a prominent place in human pathology, and serum enzyme investigations have become a prerequisite for various diseases, including cancer. Serum phosphohexose isomerase (PHI), aldolase (ALD) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were evaluated in 90 untreated patients with cervical carcinoma and 84 healthy age-matched females (controls). The concentrations of the three enzymes were significantly raised (p < 0.001) in patients compared to the controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed higher sensitivities of PHI and ALP, as compared to ALD at different specificity levels between 60 and 95%. Combined use of PHI and ALP revealed increased sensitivity and specificity. Combined use of PHI, ALD and ALP revealed a greater number of responders with enzyme values within the normal range than nonresponders. The results suggest that combined evaluation of the enzymes might be helpful to establish a useful aid to strengthen the armamentarium currently employed in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with cervical carcinoma.